To be scared of PIP assessment?

[PIPinghell]

DH has finally had the dreaded “DLA is ending you have to apply for PIP” letter.

DH gets contribution based ESA (he was able to work up until about three years ago). He is in the support group and exempt from future reassessments due to his condition being severe and lifelong (he has a rare neurological condition that is degenerative and I am now his full-time carer), this was all awarded first time around, no needs for mandatory consideration or appeals.

So for DH the ESA process was fine, but I feel really scared of the PIP process and that it may be a very different experience to the ESA one.

If anyone has been through this recently, please share how you got on if you feel able! Thanks.

We have just changed over for my son 16 at the time, now 17. He is dyslexic, has dyspraxia, sensory processing disorder, ASC, has severe reflux, chronic fatigue syndrome, anxiety and learning difficulties.
Our face to face assessment was done at our home, which really helped, As his appointed advocate I had to answer all the questions for him as the stress of the meeting turned him non verbal. I had written down in rough the answers to all the questions on the form, so I could give the same answers again.
We were on middle rate dla but got awarded enhanced PIP and enhanced mobility as well.
Good luck.

PerkingFaintly yes I have heard elsewhere that the DWP try that trick re minutes walking and metres, which is really sneaky of them. DH uses a wheelchair at all times outside the house and only walks (with a walker) inside the house, so am hoping they will see sense on that one. I have recent medical evidence showing that it took him five minutes to walk 10 metres and then after that was completely unable to walk another 10 metres so am hoping that will help.

Oh and he DOES have trouble peeling potatoes!

Honestly PerkingFaintly if they do try any of that stuff they will find we will not take it lying down!

My daughter got 0 points on her assessment after having lifelong dla due to brain damage at birth. Things they said was she looked clean and well presented therefore she could obviously look after herself! Also that she held her husbands hand throughout the whole assessment. She isn’t married and I (her Mother) was with her and didn’t hold her hand!! It was also noted that she could pull her id out of her bag and unzip her purse. Our appeal tribunal is on Friday, so wish us luck!

Murinae- your daughters assessment sounds like it was as accurate as mine was!
Wishing your daughter lots of luck. I cannot fathom how they get it so wrong sometimes.

Murinae Oh my god, how can they get away with lies like that? Sending you good vibes for Friday, I am sure it will go your way.

It is disgusting that being clean and well presented counts against a person.

Have a Google or look on FB to see if there any sound recording kits available to loan / borrow nearby. I've heard lots of cases where the assessor has detailed information which isn't true and it's 'he said, she said' at that point. You are allowed to record the assessment but only using approved equipment (I believe it costs a good few hundred to buy) which records 2 copies at the same time. I read recently that there are some charities across the country that have this equipment and will loan it to you for the assessment, you give it back afterwards. Maybe have a look for PIP / DLA groups on FB?

I had my assessment a couple of years ago now and I was awarded lower rate on both parts, I didn't have to appeal or go to tribunal, as PP have said, it's mainly when people have issues that they take to SM etc. I hope all goes well!

I've just been refused PIP and am going through the MR process, again. I've had PIP 3 times and every time I've had to go to tribunal (not physically because I can't get there, I have severe agoraphobia), and have won the tribunal. The assessor seemed lovely. I was honest, but still got turned down. Nothing has changed with my condition.
There was a lot of stuff written about how I didn't look anxious (was shaking, fidgeting etc) and I had good insight int omy condition (no shit Sherlock, I've been like this for 15years) and even though I haven't been able to get further than my children's school more than 3-4 times a week for that time, apparently I am able to plan and follow a journey without help. My kids school is 5 minutes ago and I struggle every day, it's just not as bad some days.

What I would say is expect to be turned down, expect to get your MR turned down and expect to go to tribunal. But I really hope this doesn't happen for you.

I'm sure that because my condition is an 'invisible' one, I'm expected to be sitting in a corner rocking and unable to function at no level.

No 😢 I am now panicking how much private information I've written. Is there any way I can delete my message? Or edit it?

And before anyone asks... I use smart technology to help me type and listen to messages. Being blind doesn't mean we can't join in, thankfully.

Son't worry PIPESA what you describe sounds like most PIP assessments! So cruel about the suicidal comment, I have heard that before. Please do't worry PIP can make you paranoid (me too)

I hope you do appeal. And complain.

Oh, and OP yes the medical stuff about the walking should help, my friend with MS had similar.

On my assesment they said i looked well nourished and well presented so fed and clean clothes they also noted that I could open myhandbag

Doolally do you mean each time you did a paper appeal? I too won mine at appeal, the second time turned down I also got to appeal stage and they rang and changed their minds. I think the paper appeal is a good idea if it is too stressful to attend for some people

@pipesa does your tech allow you to report your post? If you feel you have said to much one of uscould report it and ask for a deletion.

PIPESA I'll report your post to MN for you and ask them to delete it for privacy concerns.

I don't think it's actually outing because unfortunately so many people have similar experiences. But I'll report it anyway.

Loads of luck to you and hope you get good news.

Oh, PIPESA I am so sorry to read about your terrible experience. It makes me so angry that people are being treated like this, and no-one really seems to care except other people who have been through the system and their families/friends.

I can totally understand why you are so upset. After my husband had the ESA assessment, we were both depressed for a couple of days afterwards. The assessor was nice enough, but it was still such a humiliating experience.

I really hope you get the PIP and I will report back on how we get on. Maybe come back and tell us what the outcome is for you too if you can bear it?

Yes, one of can report your post if you want to get it deleted, I totally understand your worry.

Dolallytats that's bloody awful, but so glad you won the tribunal.

PerkingFaintly yes, please can you report it for me as I can't work it out. Thank you so much, and to others offering to help

My God PIPESA, that's absolutely horrendous.

I think that the assessor might have acted illegally by not making reasonable adjustments (Equality Act 2010) for you, to make the assessment accessible for your disability. I am not a lawyer but have you sought extra legal advice? They shouldn't get away with this!

PIPESA, there we go, MNHQ have deleted it for you.

and for nice MNHQers!

One other question they will ask if your DH is in a wheelchair is it prescribed or did you buy it .
If it’s prescribed ask your doctor for a letter confirming that his wheelchair is prescribed from the enablement centre . And mention this in the assessment form
I would also recommend photocopying every pages of the form to keep for your own records and send the form tracked and signed for

They wrongly assume that if your disabled you can’t be clean and tidy and have a neat appearance . So you need to play them at their own game . Don’t go freshly washed wear your jumper inside out. Wear odd socks ,wear a top that your cats slept on for a few days 😂
As you can see from other people’s posts being well presented and clean and tidy can and will work against you.
So If your a woman don’t wear make up or nail polish, don't have false nails , don’t take a handbag or purse and don’t have well brushed hair. Don’t wear your best clothes .
If your a man don’t shave , don’t wash and again don’t wear your best clothes .

Also OP If your DH uses a wheelchair the majority of the time I would highly recommend that he uses it on the day of assessment

It will pretty much remove any way of them saying he is able to walk 20 metres.

If it’s a non propelling one that will prove that he his not able to go out without assistance as he needs to be pushed
If he goes in with his walker they will pretty much say he can walk with use of an aid.

You want to be able to cut them down at every opportunity possible and don’t give them anything that will lead to the possibility that they can assume he can do other stuff

You shouldn’t have to do all this but as you can see from others posts they really do look at the most bizarre things to prove that you can do other stuff .

I was successful in getting my pip awarded however i will echo some of what others say.... there was a comment about me removing my jacket easily myself - the room was roasting so i took my good arm out first and let the jacket drop off my bad arm as usual. And another comment stated i was able to easily remove my notebook from my bag and open it at the correct page... wtf!!?? The notebook comment infuriated me, it was where i kept my list of medications and appointments that she had asked about. They also asked about a dog ... i said no i dont have a dog but i have a budgie that barks and she gave me a stinking dirty look like the chronically ill shouldn’t crack jokes 🤷🏻‍♀️

PerkingFaintly - thank you, very much appreciated

Just don't take any notice of their nonsense and explain it in the MR. / appeal. About he cat etc. And bring up their awful nonsense I'm sure it helps as they actually apologised to me.

They rang and said sorry and they were reinstated it, so they do know (DWP) how bad some of the assessors are.